「Four days later.」

[Synthesis Successful: Evolution Talent Triggered]

’Whoa!’

’I finally succeeded.’

Su Qing had decided against cultivating the ordinary First Level Five Qi God Demon Skill.

A clearly superior technique was right in front of him.

’Why would I practice the common version?’

Su Qing got his wish.

[First Level Five Qi God Demon Skill (Evolved): Twenty times the effect of the Five Qi God Demon Technique, and the Five Qi God Demon Body gained at Perfection is also twenty times more effective.]

’Holy crap!’

’Finally, finally!!!!’

Su Qing jumped for joy.

The world around him was already draped in a blanket of white snow.

’Twenty times... what kind of effect is that?’

’That’s five hundred times the effect of the original Five Qi Nourishing Yuan Skill! And the crucial part is the special constitution that comes with it.’

’It’s also twenty times stronger.’

The smile on Su Qing’s face was so wide that not even the strength of a bull could wipe it off.

"Extract."

The complete Cultivation Method for the First Level Five Qi God Demon Skill flooded into Su Qing’s mind.

’So you can even cultivate like this.’

Su Qing silently sat cross-legged.

Following the Cultivation Method, he began to sense the qi in his body.

Sensing one’s own qi was an absolute necessity.

Otherwise, one couldn’t cultivate even after obtaining the Technique.

’Qi?’

Su Qing was already at the Tenth Layer of Body Tempering.

He had near-perfect control over his body’s qi and blood.

’Qi and blood... it means there’s qi present.’

Su Qing manipulated his qi and blood, beginning to circulate his qi according to the Cultivation Method of the First Level Five Qi God Demon Skill.

In an instant.

Su Qing entered a profound state of vision, both internal and external.

Even with his eyes closed, he could feel the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth.

It was continuously being absorbed into his body.

The Five Qi God Demon Technique included a detailed explanation.

In fact, most Cultivators didn’t need the Gathering Spirit Stage.

This was because most people possessed a Spirit Root.

The Gathering Spirit Stage was meant to lay the foundation for advancing to the next level.

The purpose of Gathering Spirit was to expand or solidify a Cultivator’s Dantian.

For someone without a Spirit Root, their Dantian would not be very large.

Therefore, what Su Qing was doing was simply opening up his Dantian.

He probably didn’t have a Spirit Root.

As the world’s Spiritual Qi entered his body, Su Qing felt his entire being become more relaxed and comfortable.

’This is a different power system.’

’Body Tempering and Immortal Cultivation?’

’Could it be the difference between Xuanhuan and Xianxia?’

At the beginning of his practice of the Five Qi God Demon Technique, Su Qing’s mind was filled with distracting thoughts.

This caused his cultivation speed to be very slow.

By the time Su Qing had completed One Circulation, he discovered that the sky had already grown dark.

—

Host: Su Qing.

Realm: Tenth Layer of Body Tempering [Cyan Flood Dragon Posture: Mastery (0/1000)]

First-Layer of Gathering Spirit [First Level Five Qi God Demon Skill: Entry Level (10/500)]

Synthesis Lv11 (321/1200) [Synthesis Success Rate +11%, Mutated +1%, Evolution +8%, Divinization +1%, Demonization +1%]

...

He noticed that the indicator for the First-Layer of Gathering Spirit had appeared under his Realm.

His Skill Level had suddenly increased by ten points.

But the price was cultivating from morning until nightfall.

’Immortal Cultivation Techniques are truly strange.’

Su Qing quietly sensed a certain power within his body. A kind of energy seemed to be gathering, especially in his Dantian.

He could unleash it.

’Is this Spiritual Qi?’

After a moment’s thought, an idea struck him. He extended his left palm, and the power from his Dantian erupted from its center.

PFFT~

A wave rippled through the air, clearing the accumulated snow within a three-meter radius in front of him.

’Spiritual Qi really is amazing.’

’Immortal Cultivation really is amazing.’

Su Qing hadn’t even used a proper method. Just one-tenth of the power in his Dantian could achieve this. If he used his full strength, wouldn’t the might be incredible?

And this was only the First-Layer of Gathering Spirit.

Su Qing thought for a moment.

He put away his two Puppets.

He needed to go to the County City to see if that Xu Fairy had left yet.

If she hadn’t, Su Qing could catch a ride with her to Shangjing.

When he entered the city, the guards gave Su Qing a strange but respectful look.

But he still had to pay the entrance fee.

...

Shangshui Residence.

Su Qing’s eyebrows rose as he looked at the incredibly luxurious inn.

To be honest, it was in a rather remote location, but even its outer walls were built with polished, reflective, and stately stone bricks.

In this era, such decor could only be described as noble.

Guards stood watch at the entrance.

Each one carried a blade.

Su Qing’s face was unfamiliar to the guards.

But Su Qing was dressed in fine clothes.

Especially since his outfit was just a thin autumn garment.

The snow on the ground was now ten centimeters thick.

The guards were uncertain.

They wanted to stop him but didn’t dare.

"Take me to Xu Fairy’s residence, or tell her that Su Qing has come to visit."

Su Qing said to one of the guards.

The other guards watched with wide eyes as the guard accepted three taels of silver from Su Qing.

’What a generous tip!’

The other guards couldn’t help but feel envious.

"Honored guest, please wait a moment."

The guard weighed the silver in his hand, his face lit up with joy, and he quickly ran inside.

The way Su Qing looked, standing there, he was the very picture of a young master from a wealthy family.

A far cry from his former weak and dark-skinned self.

With his noble appearance and fearlessness of the bitter cold, the guard instantly understood that this man was the same kind of person as the Xu Fairy staying here.

After a short wait, the guard didn’t return. Instead, a noble lady appeared. She was charming and alluring, with fox-like eyes, and was wrapped in a thick, white fur coat.

"I have been neglectful. Please, Young Master Su, come in."

Su Qing frowned upon hearing this.

’I’m not that famous, am I?’

’How does this Shangshui Residence know who I am?’

"I am Hua Nujiao, the owner of Shangshui Residence."

Hearing this, Su Qing asked instead, "Excuse me, do you need something from me?"

"Xu Fairy is currently at the Murong Family’s residence, so I will be the one to entertain Young Master Su."

"Hmph. Let’s talk inside, then."

After walking inside, Hua Nujiao led him to a private room.

The window of the private room overlooked the river.

However, this didn’t seem to be a place for sleeping.

There was a kang, a heated brick bed, with a straw mat on top.

A stove inside was burning charcoal.

It was truly much warmer after stepping inside.

Su Qing sat down on the mat without any hesitation.

"Someone, bring wine."

Soon, wine was brought to the door.

Hua Nujiao showed no intention of leaving. Instead, she picked up the wine jar. "Let me warm the wine for Young Master Su."

Then, Hua Nujiao took off her thick, white fur coat.

Her figure was instantly revealed in all its glory; her clothes were extremely form-fitting.

Her chest was pert, her bottom was full and round, and her small waist was as sinuous as a water snake.

Even Su Qing couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.

Perhaps aware that Su Qing was watching her, Hua Nujiao straightened her posture.

"What is Xu Fairy’s full name? I forgot to ask her."

"Her? Her full name is Xu Ningying."

"Xu Ningying?" Su Qing nodded. He was sitting on the mat by the window, where he could clearly feel the mix of cold drafts and warm air. The natural, snow-covered scenery outside was also particularly captivating.

His predecessor had been a corporate drone; when would he have ever had the chance to see such a beautiful view?

"The wine is warm, Young Master Su."

Hua Nujiao brought over a bowl of wine.

There were also side dishes to go with the drink.

"Would you like me to play a tune for you to liven things up?"

Hua Nujiao asked with a smile at his side.

...